Vivekanand Business School (VBS), Chembur, in collaboration with Self Esteem Foundation for Disabled (SEFD), Airoli, has successfully raised approximately ₹9 lakhs for the year 2025-2026 to support the NGO’s mission of empowering individuals with disabilities. Through this impactful initiative, VBS students played a pivotal role in promoting and selling eco-friendly bags and products handcrafted by specially-abled artisans, with proceeds directly contributing to their social and economic upliftment.
By leveraging strategic sales, corporate outreach, and on-ground marketing efforts, VBS students engaged with leading corporate organizations, government offices, educational institutions, and local communities to maximize awareness and drive sales. This initiative not only generated significant financial support for SEFD but also provided students with hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, sales, and social responsibility.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Sandeep Bhardwaj, Director, VBS, said, “Our students have proved that management education goes beyond the classroom by creating meaningful, real world impact. Recognising the need better to connect NGOs and specially-abled artisans with wider audiences, the initiative leveraged student-led marketing and purpose-driven outreach to help create sustainable growth opportunities. We are proud to see our students champion inclusivity by supporting the work and dignity of persons with disabilities, while delivering tangible outcomes for the community.”
“Self-Esteem Foundation for Disabled has been associated with Vivekanand Business School for over a decade, receiving valuable support across multiple platforms. The “Sell On” project stands as a unique and exemplary initiative that reflects their commitment to inclusiveness, empathy, and empowerment for persons with disabilities. This initiative has also played an important role in raising awareness about the capabilities and potential of differently abled individuals by reaching a wider section of society. The involvement, dedication, and enthusiasm demonstrated by the management and students have been truly commendable and have contributed significantly to the success, expansion, and continued growth of the project.” Said, Mrs. Meenal Mandlik, Director, Social Marketing- Self Esteem Foundation For Disabled.
The initiative stands as a compelling example of how purpose-driven learning can translate into meaningful social impact. By combining business acumen with empathy, the students not only achieved strong outcomes but also contributed to a more inclusive and equitable ecosystem. As they carry these experiences forward, such efforts reinforce the role of future leaders in building enterprises that are not just profitable but also socially conscious and transformative.
